There’s no doubting that my craft room is my favourite room in the house.
I’m lucky enough to have had a designated studio space since I was a kid. My dad provided my first one in the form of a garden shed when I was young… but truth be told, I think my mum just wanted all my craft supplies out of the house [wink].
Since then I’ve had several purpose built studios… all of them different shapes and sizes, but each of them providing an amazing creative space to be ME.
Having worked in the arts industry for 30+ years, I’ve picked up a few organization tips along the way. These really came in handy when I downsized from a large working studio space to a craft room in 2013.
I honestly believe it doesn’t matter what size your craft space is, if it is organized well and provides a place to be creative, it is perfect!
These are my top 10 tips for organizing a craft room:
1. Neat & Uncluttered – Craft/sewing supplies by their very nature can make a room look cluttered. To streamline the look of your craft room consider a theme or colour scheme to tie it all together. My craft room is painted the softest aqua blue and I’ve used scrapbooking papers from the Country Escape collection by Tilda for all my accessories, labels etc. I also used the same scrapbooking papers on my patchwork door.
Another tip for keeping things looking uncluttered is to store everything in labeled boxes. Keeping the colour of the boxes uniform will make it look more organized and neat. I chose to store all my boxes behind floaty muslin curtains to give the room a more romantic and feminine look.
2. Multi drawer box units are perfect for storing those many tiny crafting supplies we all collect… especially if you are paper crafter or make jewelry. I store a multitude of scrapbooking embellishments in this box e.g.. flowers, pearls, brads, eyelets etc. The fronts of the drawers are covered in the same coordinating papers I’ve used throughout my craft room.
3. Shabbilicious can holders – think outside the box with recyclables. Those empty soup tins can be re-purposed as shabbilicious organizers with the addition of pretty scrapbooking papers. This one shown has a hole punched in the bottom for twine to be pulled through, but it can be used to store scissors, pencils, as a vase for flowers etc. See tutorial HERE.
4. Spice racks…. not just for spices! I love making over thrifted spice racks to use as craft room organizers. They are the perfect size to store small bottles of paint, glitter, buttons etc. You can usually pick them up for just a couple of dollars too, so they make for a cheap storage option.
5. Ribbon and lace boards. One of my favourite craft storage items are lace and ribbon boards. They are the perfect way to keep your haberdashery supplies untangled and neat. I will have my design for lace boards available as a free tutorial and download next week.
6. Glass jars make perfect storage solutions for smaller items. Remember, out of sight, out of mind! I love to be surrounded by my crafting pretties… they inspire me to be creative and I’m more likely to use an item if I see it around the craft room. I use the tops of my storage shelves to display the glass bottles.
7. Needles and pins can be awkward to store. I’m a huge fan of the needle book for safe and organized storage of needles. Pins are used a lot in my craft room and I have several different types of pin cushions. I leave them out on display so they can be both functional and decorative.
8. Caddies with handles offer great storage and organization solutions. I use this one with compartments a lot. Having a handle means it is perfect for mobile crafting, whether that be in another room or meeting friends for a crafty catch up. When not in use, it sits on top of a small dresser filled with craft room pretties…. a perfect inspiration for creativity!
9. Noticed Boards. Every organized craft room needs a notice board. Mine is made from a thrifted frame and vintage doily, but could be anything from a cork board to a chickenwire frame and pegs.
10. Storage boxes. For a smaller creative space, I suggest storing items you use together in the one storage box. This way, when working on a project you may only need 1 or 2 boxes out of your storage area. Less mess means more space to create in!!
Happy crafting,
Hugs
♥
Kerryanne
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Some lovely ideas Kerryanne and I adore the colours used in your craft room as they are so soft and pretty. I could quite happily sit in your room and just daydream amongst all that crafty loveliness.
Toni xx
It’s definitely a room made for daydreaming Toni and you are welcome here any time sweetie. xx
I adore your Creative space and how you have it organized. There can never be too many ideas for storage and organizing all the supplies and ephemera that are a necessary part of being Creative. Creative Bliss…
Never seen a craft room yet Sherry that wasn’t bursting at the seams with creative supplies. But we all love it that way I’m sure!! Happy crafting ~ Kerryanne
Your craft space is so pretty! Love your organizational tips, too.
Happy creating!
Cerri
Thank you for visiting Cerri. I’m glad you liked my little crafting space and I appreciate your lovely comment.
Happy crafting,
Kerryanne
GIRGEOUS creative space Kerryanne! You would be horrified at my “creative clutter”!! :0) Maybe I need to get you to help me get organised one day? Happy creating! Bear Hugs! KRIS xx
We are all different Kris and some people feel more creative surrounded by their ‘creative clutter’. I don’t think we should re-organise your system sweetie. It clearly works for you and your beautiful designs. Hugs ~ Kerryanne xx
Your ideas are great! I will have to put them into practice.
But what I like the most is this shabby chic like creative space:-)
I love it:-)
Greetings from Poland:-)
This room is definitely shabby/cottage chic Anita and I love it too. It’s my special place… a room to relax in and enjoy creative time. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Happy crafting, Kerryanne
I always my frequent visits to your little space on the internet. Your creative is simply stunning.. And beautiful… Love how your display All your supplies and creations. The colors are so peaceful and calming… I love your blog.. THANKS for sharing..
I appreciate you visiting Shabby Art Boutique Michellee and for your lovely comments. I too love the calming colours of this creative space.
Happy crafting ~ Kerryanne
Very Lovely indeed. Enjoyed my visit here:):)
Thank you for visiting Shabby Art Boutique Sandra and I’m glad you enjoyed visiting my creative space. 🙂
thanks for the tips! I really loved looking at your space and I love the curtains idea especially!
Thank you Leanne. Happy crafting ~ Kerryanne
Lovely!
Claudine
Thank you for visiting my creative space Claudine 🙂
I love your tips for keeping your creative space neat, tidy and organized! Happy Creating, Cindy
Thanks for visiting my creative space Cindy. Happy crafting to you too 🙂
I love your studio! It’s so dreamy and feminine. I will be checking out your tutorials…
Thanks for sharing!
It does have a very feminine and dreamy feel to it Becky. Floaty gathered curtains definitely make a difference and I much prefer them to when I had open shelving. Thanks for visiting 🙂
Great ideas! I adore your shabby chic studio. I love that style! Thank you for sharing it with us♥
Thanks for visiting Kristi. I’m glad you enjoyed my shabbilicious creative space. 🙂
Hi Kerryanne, your space is a dream! Love the light and airy feel the room has and the colors are beautiful!
Thanks for all the great ideas on storage and organizing!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for visiting Shabby Art Boutique Diana. I always feels so serene in my craft room… I’m sure it is the pale aqua walls. Previously, I’ve always had white walls in my studios and while they create a lovely blank canvas and reflect light so well, I’ve noticed a completely different feeling comes over me in this pastel coloured room. Happy crafting 🙂
I am a big fan of most of the tips you have offered. In fact, I practice most of them myself. What I don’t have is all the lovely old furniture and beautiful pieces that dot your room. But I really LOVE yours. Thanks for sharing. BTW, I agree. Neatness counts.
It’s hard to be neat when we are creative, but I do believe it makes for a better work space… well for me any way!! Thanks for visiting 🙂
What great tips and what a fabulous space!
Thanks for visiting Deborah 🙂
Wow Kerryanne what a fabulous space. Everything beautifully displayed and in its place, very pretty. Now following you on Facebook and Pinterest. Thanks for sharing. Karen.x
Welcome to Shabby Art Boutique Karen. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit and appreciate you following my creative journey on Facebook and Pinterest 🙂
That’s a great idea to decoupage pretty paper on the drawers. Thanks for the tour.
Halle #58
Thanks for visiting Halle 🙂
You certainly know how to marry pretty with organization. Your space is totally charming and romantic . . .simply beautiful 🙂
Thank you Connie. I’m a bit of a ‘neat freak’, so I need an organised creative space, but that shouldn’t prevent it from being beautify too. This one works perfectly for me 🙂
I love this post Karryanne!! Not only did you give some great tips, the photos were beautiful! I am so glad to have you as a party goer!!
xo,
Karen
Always a pleasure to attend this wonderful annual event Karen xx
Oh so charming and beautiful! I adore your studio and dream of an old garden shed studio one day.
Having a dedicated creative space definitely boosts your creativity Rhonda. I hope you get your dream studio one day too… I can just imagine a beautiful vintage and French dressed garden space for you 🙂
Your studio is shabby vintag-a-licious! I adore the soft colors and romantic air. I love your check list of organizing, I use those tips too and it really does make a difference in the feel and function of a creative space. I love your patchwork door, such a cool idea. Thank your for sharing your creative dream space.
Thanks for taking a wander through my studio space Sandy. It does have a dreamy romantic feel to it when working in there, which I really enjoy. 🙂
I loved your fabulous studio.. those lovely drawers full of treasures.. thank you so much for sharing..
pamela
Thanks for visiting Pamela. Sometimes I just like to sit and look at all my pretties, without even creating. Guess that’s why it is my ‘happy’ place. 🙂
Your lovely pastel palette is soothing. I really like the sheer-ish curtains used to hide the shelves of stuff. Lovely studio. xo
Thank you for visiting my studio space Kerrie. Initially the curtains were meant to be practical and hide the miss-match of boxes required to store all my creative goodies, but I do enjoy the romantic feel the room now has. It’s my little place to escape from the world – lol xxx
Kerryanne, I love all of your organizational ideas! The papers and colors that you have used in your space are so pretty and relaxing. Love the sheer curtains and your little drawers and spice racks!
hugs,
Jann
Thanks Jann. Although this craft room is very different to the ones I’ve had in the past, which were always mostly white, I have to admit that having the pale blue backdrop is very calming. It has definitely made my space a relaxing place to visit and with my down time being so limited, I really appreciate that. Hugs xxx
Thank you so much for the organizing ideas and the photos of your creative space. I really enjoyed myself as I got lost in reading everything. Congratulations from one of your newest followers who lives across the pond.
Welcome to Shabby Art Boutique Marrianna. I hope you find much joy and inspiration here. We can never have too many creative or shabbilicious friends… I hope to see you linking up your loveliness at our weekly link party, Shabbilicious Friday 🙂
You have the most pretty, yet functional craft room I have ever had the pleasure to set my eyes upon. 🙂 A place for everything and everything in its place-every crafter’s dream. It is no wonder that marvelous creations are made there. Thanks for the letting us in on your secrets for an inviting and inspiring haven to create. xo
Thank you Mary for your very sweet comments. You know how much I love my creative space and my creative time. I love that I can share it here and there are others that totally ‘get’ my craft room and appreciate all the little labelled boxes of creative goodness. To some people it is just ‘stuff’, but to anyone who loves to create. it is definitely treasure. Hugs xxx